outstanding salary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding salary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a salary that is due or unpaid, often in the context of financial discussions or employment matters. Example: "The company is currently reviewing its finances and has acknowledged that there is an outstanding salary owed to several employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Yet to be confirmed is whether the Dolphins have come to terms with Martin's camp over the outstanding salary on his $4,784,267 contract.

The Guardian - Sport

The bank said the sums involved were simply the outstanding salary, bonus pay ments and pension entitlements of senior executives rolled up into a lump sum.

The Guardian - Business

In fact, he added, the club was on its way to clearing its debts with the Spanish tax authorities, which he said now stood at €15 million, having already settled the different claims relating to outstanding salary and transfer payments.

The New York Times - Sports

The BMGEA has undertaken to pay survivors their outstanding salary for the month of the collapse, plus a month's pay for every year worked at Rana Plaza, but few appear to have received the full amount due.

The Guardian

Michel is also angry about outstanding salary payments and the failure of the authorities to repay expenses.

BBC

Aside from customary closing conditions, the completion of the transaction is also subject to a majority of the outstanding Salary.com shares being tendered.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Hundreds of protesters, including former workers as well as relatives of victims killed or injured, were demonstrating to demand compensation or outstanding salaries promised by the government and the main body representing local employers in the booming industry, the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association BGMEAA).

The Guardian

And it is not the first time Nigerian coaches have been not been paid; Christian Chukwu, Shaibu Amodu, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen, John Obuh and Eucharia Uche have all previously complained about outstanding salaries in the recent past.

BBC

All concerned countries have developed follow-up mechanisms empowering NGOs and local institutions to oversee the payment of outstanding salaries to child beneficiaries.

Unicef

Paul Ibe had in 2011 filed proceedings against his former employer, seeking payment of outstanding monthly salaries and other allowances.

BBC

The decision serves a financially crushing blow to a campaign committee that had been struggling to repay $50,000 left on a bank loan as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding debts, including salaries to staff members.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing employment contracts or financial liabilities, use "outstanding salary" to clearly indicate the amount of compensation still owed to an employee. It concisely conveys the message.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding salary" when you mean a very good or high salary. "Outstanding" in this context refers to something that remains unpaid, not to the quality of the salary itself. If you mean a high salary, use terms like "excellent salary", "high salary", or "generous salary".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding salary" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "outstanding" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "salary". As shown in Ludwig, it describes the status of the salary, specifically that it remains unpaid or due.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "outstanding salary" effectively conveys the meaning of a salary that remains unpaid. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. While "outstanding salary" is not extremely common, appearing most often in news and business contexts, it is well-understood and serves as a clear way to refer to an amount of owed compensation. When discussing the term, remember to avoid confusing it with "excellent salary", which has a different meaning altogether.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpaid salary

Focuses specifically on the lack of payment.

salary owed

Directly states the obligation to pay the salary.

due salary

Emphasizes that the payment is obligated or scheduled.

salary payable

From accounting perspective, shows an obligation to pay.

salary arrears

A more formal term often used in accounting or legal contexts.

back salary

Suggests salary owed from a previous period.

remaining salary

Highlights the portion of the salary that is still pending.

salary balance

Indicates the amount left to be paid.

outstanding wages

Replaces "salary" with a more general term, referring to hourly pay.

accrued salary

Refers to salary that has been earned but not yet paid.

FAQs

What does "outstanding salary" mean?

"Outstanding salary" refers to the portion of an employee's compensation that has not yet been paid. It represents the amount that is still owed to the employee.

What can I say instead of "outstanding salary"?

You can use alternatives like "unpaid salary", "due salary", or "salary arrears" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "outstanding salary" in formal communication?

Yes, "outstanding salary" is appropriate in formal communication, particularly when discussing financial matters or employment terms. However, in very formal or legal contexts, "salary arrears" may be preferred.

How is "outstanding salary" different from "outstanding pay"?

While similar, "outstanding salary" usually refers to a fixed amount paid periodically (e.g., monthly), whereas "outstanding pay" can encompass all forms of unpaid compensation, including wages, bonuses, and commissions.